Windows Vista facts for kids
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| Developer | Microsoft Corporation |
|---|---|
| OS family | Microsoft Windows |
| Source model | Closed source / Shared source |
| Released to manufacturing |
January 30, 2007 |
| Latest release | 6.0 (Build 6002: Service Pack 2) / April 28, 2009 |
| Repository |
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| Update method | Windows Update, Windows Server Update Services, SCCM |
| Platforms | IA-32 and x86-64 |
| Kernel type | Hybrid |
| License | Proprietary commercial software |
| Preceded by | Windows XP |
| Succeeded by | Windows 7 |
| Support status | |
| Mainstream support: Ended on April 10, 2012. Extended support: Ended on April 11, 2017. | |
| Articles in the series | |
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Windows Vista is a version of the Microsoft Windows operating system made by Microsoft. It was the sixth main release in the Windows family. Before it was officially named, it was known as Longhorn. Microsoft announced the name Windows Vista on July 28, 2005.
Microsoft worked on Windows Vista for over five years. It came with many new features, like better graphics and new programs. It also had stronger ways to protect computers from computer viruses. However, Vista changed how the operating system worked, which meant some older programs might not run properly. Microsoft stopped giving updates and support for Windows Vista on April 11, 2017.
Contents
Windows Vista Editions and Computer Needs
Windows Vista was first released to computer makers in November 2006. It became available for people to buy and use at home on January 30, 2007. There were four main versions of Windows Vista:
- Home Basic Edition
- Home Premium Edition
- Business Edition
- Ultimate Edition
There were also two special versions. The Starter Edition was for countries where computers needed to be very affordable. The Enterprise Edition was made for large companies that needed powerful computers.
To run Windows Vista, your computer needed at least 512 MB (megabytes) of RAM. For some of Vista's newer features and better speed, 1 GB (gigabyte) of RAM was recommended.
| Vista Capable | Vista Premium Ready | |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | 800 MHz | 1 GHz |
| Memory | 512 MB | 1 GB |
| Graphics card | DirectX 9.0 capable | DirectX 9.0 capable and WDDM 1.0 driver support |
| Graphics memory | 64 MB | 128 MB |
| HDD capacity | 40 GB | 80 GB |
| HDD free space | 15 GB | |
| Optical drives | DVD-ROM drive (Only to install from DVD-ROM media) | |
Having more than 1 GB of RAM always helped a large operating system like Vista run more smoothly.
What are Service Packs?
Microsoft releases "service packs" to update its software. These packs add new features and fix problems.
Service Pack 1
Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) was released on February 4, 2008. It came out at the same time as Windows Server 2008. This was after about five months of testing.
When SP1 was first released, some computers kept restarting, making them hard to use. Microsoft quickly stopped the release until they fixed this issue. SP1 became available to Windows Vista users through Windows Update on March 18, 2008.
Service Pack 2
Service Pack 2 for Windows Vista was finished on April 28, 2009. It was then released to the public on May 26, 2009. This update included security fixes and other improvements. However, it did not include Internet Explorer 8.
Images for kids
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A screenshot of an early version of Windows Vista, then called Longhorn. You can see the Start menu and the Windows Desktop Sidebar.
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A look at the four different visual styles you could choose in Windows Vista.
| Preceded by Windows XP |
Windows Versions 2007-2009 |
Succeeded by Windows 7 |
See also
In Spanish: Windows Vista para niños
